England v Iran: Best pictures from the Three Lions opening World Cup match

England opened their World Cup campaign in style as they hit six goals against Iran

Charlotte Hodges
Monday 21 November 2022 15:51
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Fans react to England's World Cup first half goals against Iran

England made a thumping start to the Qatar World Cup as they opened Group B with a 6-2 win over Iran.

Bukayo Saka was the star with a two-goal display, while Jude Bellingham impressed as he opened the scoring to become just the second England player to score at a World Cup as a teenager.

Raheem Sterling added a third before half time, with Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish coming off the bench to score late on.

Iran hit back with two goals in the second half through their star striker Mehdi Taremi, including a contentious penalty in the final seconds, just to leave England with some work to do ahead of their second group stage fixture against the United States.

Here are the best images from England’s opening win as the Three Lions began their campaign in style.

England players take the knee before kick off

England fans before the match

Harry Maguire heads towards goal

John Stones and forward Bukayo Saka run toward the ref

Iran's Alireza Beiranvand collides into Majid Hosseini resulting in being substituted off with a concussion injury

Jude Bellingham scores England’s first goal

Celebrating with team mates

Bellingham looks to the England fans after scoring

Bukayo Saka strikes the ball to score England’s second

Saka wheels away to celebrate with Declan Rice and Luke Shaw

England players huddle after scoring their second

Raheem Sterling scores their third just three minutes later

Kane, Saka and Bellingham celebrate with Sterling

Jordan Pickford celebrates England’s third goal

Mason Mount competes for a header with Saeid Ezatolahi

Gareth Southgate reacts as Bukayo Saka lays on the pitch

Bukayo Saka scoring England’s fourth goal

Saka celebrates his second goal of the game with England players warming up

Iran’s Mehdi Taremi scores their first goal

As Taremi celebreates, the England players around him react

Iran fans in the stands hold up an Iran flag reading "Woman Life Freedom"

Harry Maguire is substituted off after medical staff checked on him

Marcus Rashford scores England’s fifth goal minutes after coming on

Marcus Rashford celebrates his goal with teammates

Jack Grealish taps in England’s sixth

And celebrates after scoring

England players celebrate in front of their fans

Iran win a penalty

Taremi scores his and Iran’s second from the penalty spot

Grealish shakes hands with Gareth Southgate after the match

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